History Awaits Visitors to Sea Isle Museum

By MADDY VITALE From a new exhibit dedicated to remembering the 1962 storm to one in honor of the late curator, to the favorites that visitors have enjoyed over the years, there will be plenty to see and enjoy at Sea Isle City Historical Museum. After a two-month closure for the quiet winter, the museum reopened Monday. Volunteers were on hand to speak about what they have been doing to prepare for the season. Joyce Molter, the museum president, and Abby Powell, a past president who stepped up to be the curator upon the death of Barb McKeefery, outlined a host of things they have been doing to keep things inviting at the museum for guests. There are about a dozen exhibits to view at the museum, which is housed in the building of the Sea Isle library at 48th Street and Central Avenue. Each year, roughly 6,000 guests visit the museum, volunteers said. “Obviously, the exhibit we are focusing on right now is about the Storm of '62. We will have that up until the end of March,” Molter said. Research material in the museum includes thousands of photographs, maps, books, pamphlets, and personal remembrances, plus collections on specialized subjects such as the 1962 storm. On March 16, to highlight how the local community joined in response to the devastating storm, there will be a presentation prepared by museum volunteer, Caitlin Haffert, with help from her father, Pat Haffert, who experienced the colossal storm firsthand. Visitors can also see an exhibit showcasing more than 20 vintage wedding gowns, the oldest dating to 1880, worn by Sea Isle brides over the years. Both Molter and Powell noted that it is one of their favorite exhibits and definitely one of the top ones for patrons. As the museum’s curator, McKeefery was influential in the creation of many of the most notable exhibits and displays, the bridal gowns being one of them, museum volunteers said. She passed away in December at the age of 70 of cancer. “We need to do an exhibit in her memory,” Molter said of McKeefery. “I didn’t want to do it until after the Storm of '62 exhibit. We want to do a special tribute to her for all that she did for the museum.” In addition to doing an exhibit in honor of the late curator, volunteers discussed a memorial bench and also something to remember her during an Arbor Day ceremony at the museum.” Powell followed up, “We will do a nice display in memory of her. We also will do something for Barb on Arbor Day.” Molter, who took over as the museum’s president in 2023, has also been working to improve the website and promote the museum more. While it isn’t quite finished yet, she said that Caitlin Haffert and another volunteer who wishes to go unnamed, are working together to make it inviting. “When it’s done, it will really be updated,” Molter said. “There were things that would change all the time on the website.” The museum boasts several exhibits for visitors to view pieces of the city's history. In addition to some new exhibits, and the popular wedding gowns display, there are also other exhibits that have delighted visitors to the museum for some time. They are the beach patrol and military exhibit as well as ones featuring some of the old restaurants. Powell spoke of how she is enjoying her new role at the museum and pointed to one way to keep the interest going for the same exhibits. “I think for me, I like to keep things fresh and to move things around a little so that people who come to visit us multiple times a year aren’t walking into the same displays and exhibits,” she said. Displays aren’t the only attraction at the museum. Family albums are always a popular piece of history to explore by visitors, Molter said. “People are constantly coming in and updating the family albums,” she said. “They are a go-to when someone comes in and they are looking for something particular with their family name.” Powell hopes that the museum can acquire some pieces from the restaurants in town to highlight some of the history. The museum volunteers, like the visitors, also have their favorite exhibits. “I still like the bridal gowns the best. I really do. They are a big attraction for moms and little girls, too,” Molter said. Powell said she loves the bridal gowns as well. She also really enjoyed a special exhibit that was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Beach Patrol. “Stay tuned. That might come back,” Powell said. “We would have to take down the bridal display temporarily for that.” More information on the Sea Isle City Historical Museum, including the operating hours, is available by visiting www.seaislemuseum.com or calling (609) 263-2992. Joyce Molter flips through one of the family albums.